Newly crowned world number one Lindsay Davenport, withdrew from the final of the WTA Tour Championships today with an injury to her right knee.
Davenport had been due to face US seventh seed and fellow American Serena Williams, but now faces a lengthy lay-off that is likely to disrupt her preparations for next year's Australian Open.
"This is the worst way to end the season," said Davenport, who added that had she been appearing at a more minor event she would most likely not have shown up.
"It's almost impossible to walk," said Davenport, who revealed she would be unlikely to return much before the Australian Open in January. She missed 11 weeks with her last injury which cost her a shot at the French Open in June.
"All I can do is hope for the best. I won't be doing anything for a month," she added, explaining the injury came on in the final set tiebreak against Kim Clijsters in Saturday's semi-final.
That win saw her move above Jennifer Capriati to claim the year-end world number one ranking.
Davenport's withdrawal means Williams becomes the first debutante to lift the trophy in the Championships' 29-year history.
She picked off her third title of the season and 11th overall as well as a winners cheque for 750,000 US dollars.
Davenport, who was seeking her eighth title of 2001, had also been hoping to win the season-ending title for the second time after 1999.
AFP